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Aim for God's Approval

As our culture pulls us in many directions, we sometimes lose track of our priorities. Alistair Begg challenges us to not miss the most important target for followers of Christ: the Gospel’s advancement. A workman who is useful to the Master, Paul wrote, is one who does not wander from the truth. These convicting words remind us that godliness and holiness are trustworthy benchmarks of faithfulness. Are your priorities in line with God’s?

A Worker Approved by God

14Remind them of these things, and charge them before God2 not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.15Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,3 a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.16But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,17and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,18who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.19But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”

20Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.21Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable,4 he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.

22So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.23Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.24And the Lord's servant5 must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,25correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,26and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

Series: Useful to the Master

Other messages in: Useful to the Master

From the darkness of a prison cell, Paul wrote to his disciple Timothy about his desire to pass on the Gospel to the next generation. His great concern was that truth would be preserved and that his disciple would be useful to the Master in his continuing ministry. Reviewing 2 Timothy’s exhortations toward perseverance, holiness, and remaining steadfast, Alistair Begg encourages and inspires us to stand firm in declaring the Gospel with the confidence that comes from Jesus Christ alone.

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Truth For Life is the teaching ministry of Alistair Begg and is committed to teaching the Bible with clarity and relevance so that unbelievers will be converted, believers will be established, and local churches will be strengthened.